Your Destination Guide to New York City

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© Ed Yourdon

Wine bars in NYC have gained extraordinary popularity in the past few years. Like local coffee shops and low-key bars, wine bars provide a casual atmosphere to meet friends for a drink and a snack. Wine bars range in price, food selection, size of wine list, and crowd.

Below are our suggestions for some popular wine bars to try.

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar

Ayza Wine & Chocolate Bar is located in Murray Hill. Popular among young professionals, it has a sleek, wooden décor, with dim lighting and an outdoor patio dining option. Often nights at Ayza, you can group your wine, dinner, and dessert with live music. This wine bar features an extensive wine list, signature cocktails, beers, and wine spritzers. If you're hungry, Ayza has a large selection of Mediterranean and French inspired appetizers and entrees as well as gourmet chocolates and desserts. Visit Ayza for lunch, an afternoon cocktail and a snack, or a complete meal paired with a variety of wines from around the world.

Casa Mono in Gramercy

If you're interested in learning about Spanish food and wine, visit Casa Mono in Gramercy. Casa Mono has an impressive wine list of approximately 600 wines and is well-known for its Spanish cuisine. The wine bar serves authentic and sophisticated Spanish dishes along with your choice of any Spanish wine. If you are not familiar with the wines of Spain, asking for help with this wine list is highly recommended. Casa Mono provides a welcoming and authentic Spanish experience at a moderate price point.

Terroir

If you know wines well or have a passion for learning about them, Terroir is the place for you. Its menu features bar food, salads, paninis, meats, and cheeses. Terroir, best known for its wine, however, has a diverse, 35-page wine list with glasses and bottles at every price point. The funky menu provides pages of interesting facts about wines, details about specific grapes and regions, and lots of other creative wine blurbs. Terroir also offers a list of kosher wines and pages full of Riesling choices, one of the restaurant's specialties. Just stopping in to learn more about wine? Choose a moderately priced wine by the glass and read about how and where it's made. Looking to splurge on that $500 bottle? Also a fitting environment. Though Terroir's wine list is lengthy and offers some very pricey choices, there are also plenty of options for simple and moderately-priced wines.

Accademia de Vino

Located on the Upper East Side, Accademia de Vino is another wine bar well known for its lengthy wine list and opportunities for customers to learn about the culture and history of wines. Upstairs is a long bar accompanied by just a few, high tables. Downstairs is a more elegant and spacious dining room lined with wine racks. The walls, both upstairs and downstairs, are dotted with chalkboards, displaying the most current wine recommendations. Accademia de Vino has a full Italian menu, complete with antipasti, pizzas, meats, and cheeses. The wine list features over 500 Italian wines, including a large selection of wines by the glass, each with a detailed description.

CLO

If you enjoy using technology and are interested in a new, cutting edge wine experience, visit CLO. CLO is a trendy, modern wine bar that focuses on education, design, and technology. It is located on the fourth floor of the Time Warner building, offering guests vast views of Central Park and Columbus Circle. Each dining area has a touch screen, equipped with the technology to give guests a virtual tour of the wine list and detailed descriptions of each wine. These multi-user projection menus can instantly provide customers with the history, flavor profile, and bar location of each wine. CLO also focuses on the most modern décor, including unique wine glassware, which is also available for sale. CLO provides a distinctive wine experience in an energetic and interactive atmosphere.

Bar Boulud

For a memorable NYC experience, visit famous restaurateur Daniel Boulud's casual bistro and wine bar. Though it is high in price, Bar Boulud provides rustic French bistro fare and a broad selection of house made charcuterie in a relaxed atmosphere. The wine list features wines from the Burgundy and Rhône areas of France, Boulud's home region. There are three categories of wine: the discoveries—lesser known wines, the classics—typical wines from these regions, and the legends—wines of the best value and taste. Bar Boulud's décor is reminiscent of the wine making process; various furnishings are made out of white oak, which is the wood used to barrel age wines.

Tribeca's Vino Vino

For a combined dining and retail experience, you can visit Tribeca's Vino Vino, half wine bar, half wine shop. A tall, glass wall and high ceilings separate the two, giving the bar an open feel. Known to be a crowded venue, Vino Vino provides a casual atmosphere and a diverse selection of wines. Providing select cheeses and cured meats, Vino Vino is an ideal pre-dinner location.

Bar Veloce

If you don't have a lot of time but still want to experience a NYC wine bar, Bar Veloce is low-key and ideal for a quick bite to eat and a glass or bottle of wine. Bar Veloce is a casual bar founded on the concept of being both a wine and a panini bar. The bar's décor, wine list, and menu follow a traditional theme.

- Alexandra Beck

Header Photo: © David Iliff

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